| Newberg Dundee Bypass Project - Overview |
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| Background |
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The Newberg Dundee Bypass Project (Bypass) started as the Newberg-Dundee Transportation Improvement Project, with the goal of relieving traffic congestion problems in Yamhill County along the Oregon 99W corridor.
One of the first phases of a federally funded project like the Bypass is to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EIS was broken into two tiers, with the first tier culminating in the selection of the southern bypass corridor over other options, such as a regional bypass.
The second tier of the EIS refines the design of the project. Maps showing some of the different design options are available. The Bypass is part of the modernization program (adding capacity), and there is an established process based on certain criteria for project funding that involves local community leadership through the Area Commissions on Transportation. In this area, the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation makes recommendations to the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) to include projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Tolling was considered but ultimately deemed unfeasible. Some funding is included in 2009’s House Bill 2001, but the partial project funding may not be available until 2011.
Newberg Dundee Bypass Project corridor line drawing
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| Next Steps |
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The Federal Highway Administration has recommended completing the EIS with a minor update to reflect recent legislative actions. The Tier 2 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) work is mostly completed, and anticipated publication is fall 2009.
DEIS publication will be followed by a public comment period. After comment review, ODOT may make changes to the design.
When land-use planning and related environmental actions are completed for the preferred alternative, ODOT will issue the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). This is followed by a Record of Decision (ROD), marking the completion of the environmental documentation phase. ODOT anticipates a ROD in later 2010, but much of the schedule depends on federal review of the EIS and the comments received from the public.
Given that this project is atypical in many ways, it is difficult to provide firm timelines with confidence. It is also important to note that we can’t presuppose the outcome of the Environmental Impact Statement’s (EIS) public hearing process. Assuming that one of the options in the Draft EIS (DEIS) is ultimately selected, approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and funded in 2011, an optimal project schedule would be as follows:
Action Estimated Date
DEIS to FHWA 8/09 (Completed)
EIS Public Hearing 10/09-11/09
Record of Decision 11/10-12/10
Funding 2011
Phase approval 2011-12
EIS update 2011-12
Design 2011-12
Right of way 2011-14
Construction 2015-16
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| Right of Way |
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ODOT is actively purchasing properties required for the project’s first phase, linking Oregon 99W south of Dundee to Oregon 219 via a two-lane, limited access route. Since most of the funding for the project is not expected until 2011, federal funding secured by Representative Wu in the last federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) will be used to purchase selected properties while the remainder of the federally required environmental work (NEPA) is completed. The federal funding already secured is about 15% of the estimated $87 million needed for right of way in the project’s first phase, but ODOT is continuing to purchase property, focusing on protective and voluntary purchases. We also will continue to make provisions for hardship purchases as needed. (Right of Way Manual, Sections 5.365-5.370).
ODOT has sent letters to property owners within the first phase area to ask those interested in voluntary acquisitions to contact our right of way section. Acquisitions generally take several months because of the required state and federal authorizations, appraisals and other legally required steps.
If you would like to sell you property and are completely or mostly inside the project area, please contact Kari Lowe, a contractor working for HDR Inc. on behalf of ODOT, at (503) 316-5511.
For more information on right of way purchasing generally, see the Project Library.
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| Questions? |
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Contact Adam Torgerson, Public Information Officer, (503) 986-2880.
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